My gorgeous wife Chapter 2002 - 1970: Regret

Following the complete annihilation of the dark clouds by Li Chen, he commenced the recovery of the Supreme Treasures one by one.

The cultivators who had been present had already scattered entirely. Even those who had not fled far were momentarily blinded and unable to see clearly. Furthermore, under the suppression of the Bagua Array Diagram, they could not sense any significant disturbance. No one opted to return for investigation, thereby preserving Li Chen's secret.

However, his complexion was far from optimal.

The inaugural full-force deployment of the Supreme Treasures had occurred during his confrontation with Zhang Lu.

At that juncture, the Two-Yi Yin Yang Mirror provided support for the battle with its energy, utilizing him merely as a conduit. Consequently, the expenditure was not excessively high, though the inflicted might was considerably restricted.

This time, however, the energy source was internal.

Despite the entire process lasting merely a few dozen breaths, and with minimal utilization from the Heavenly Dao Pearl and Five Elements Boots, Li Chen's Yuan Force was utterly depleted.

Had the Supreme Treasures not sensed Li Chen's critical state and proactively severed their connection with him, he would have undoubtedly perished from such complete exhaustion.

Even so, upon landing, Li Chen lacked the strength to ascend again. His face was alarmingly pale, and he appeared on the verge of losing consciousness at any moment.

The woman, who was being shielded by Bai Shi and the Netherworld, observed Li Chen with a complex expression. "You… why did you do this?"

Gazing at the woman, Li Chen managed a strained smile, his face ashen.

"Because I was once an observer, and I refuse to be one a second time."

The woman let out a profound sigh as she looked at Li Chen, the subject of her sigh remaining unknown to all.

Yet, Bai Shi and the Netherworld perceived subtle, varied undertones within this sigh.

"I can tell, you know me," Li Chen stated with a chuckle. "So, can you tell me, are those things true?"

Li Chen's words were cryptic, leaving Bai Shi and the Netherworld bewildered as to his meaning.

However, the woman comprehended his inquiry.

"Whether true or false, what does it matter?"

"It matters," Li Chen affirmed earnestly. "Did I truly exist there? Did you truly know me back then?"

"You care about this so profoundly?" the woman inquired.

"Of course, I care," Li Chen declared, his laughter ringing out despite his trembling form, which was precariously supported by the Netherworld. He laughed with undeniable pride.

"If not, I should address you as 'Senior.' If so, shouldn't you address me as 'Brother Li Chen'?"

Upon hearing Li Chen's words, the woman found herself caught between laughter and tears.

Nevertheless, after a moment of quiet contemplation, she gave a slight nod. "Brother Li Chen."

A radiant smile spread across Li Chen's face.

"I understand now, I finally understand," Li Chen exclaimed with hearty laughter. "It appears Guangming truly succeeded!"

The woman paused momentarily before eventually nodding. Although this matter was inherently shrouded in secrecy, Li Chen's involvement granted him a right to the truth.

"That was not a dream; it was reincarnation!" Li Chen's laughter boomed, yet a desolate quality underscored his smile. Gradually, his laughter subsided, and Li Chen succumbed to unconsciousness in the Netherworld's embrace.

Gazing at the fallen Li Chen, the woman sighed softly.

The Three Births River and the Three Lives Bridge are obscure ancient treasures, known to very few.

Even the ancient beings aware of their existence merely knew them as former Realm-Guarding Treasures of the Buddhist Realm.

However, the Buddhist Realm has long since faded into obscurity, leaving its true fate uncertain.

This particular rumor was, in fact, a deceptive fabrication disseminated by them.

The actual origins of these two treasures lie in the transmogrification of Divine Skills!

A supreme Great Divine Power! The most enigmatic and challenging cultivation path… the Reincarnation Divine Ability!

Throughout history, the number of individuals mastering the Reincarnation Divine Ability could be counted on a single hand. And among them, the number who cultivated it to the Supreme Realm was known to be only one.

Dao Saint Guangming!

Indeed, Guangming could be regarded as the foremost figure in the history of the Path of Reincarnation!

No one had ever attained such mastery over the Path of Reincarnation, evolving Divine Skills directly into artifact-like entities through sheer Mana.

Yet, an untold truth remained: the two reincarnation treasures forged by Guangming's Great Divine Power were actually awaiting a single individual.

"Brother Li Chen, your efforts were immense," the woman murmured softly while looking at Li Chen, her voice filled with a gentle sigh.

Having personally endured the Seven Realms War, she possessed a deeper understanding of its brutality than Li Chen did.

Even though Li Chen had witnessed such savagery once before, the prospect of facing it anew was undoubtedly a formidable burden for him.

At times, ignorance truly is bliss.

The truth, it was simply too cruel to bear.

"Brother Li Chen, I truly hope that, as the Lord of the Heavenly Dao foretold, you can indeed save this Starry Universe. I earnestly wish to avoid witnessing such a calamity again," she stated, her voice trailing off into a prolonged silence.

Upon awakening, Li Chen discovered his physical condition had remarkably improved; the residual headache from his exhaustion was completely absent.

Observing the Netherworld and Bai Shi meditating beside him, Li Chen subtly curved his lips into a gentle smile.

"Boss, you're finally awake?" Bai Shi's reaction was immediate.

Li Chen smiled, nodded, placed a hand on Bai Shi's shoulder, and then turned his gaze towards the Netherworld.

His eyes fell upon the Netherworld, and Li Chen couldn't suppress a swell of emotion.

How many years had vanished in the blink of an eye?

The Netherworld, originally just a young Gu Bug, had been found by Li Chen back when he was still on Earth, brought back from Miaojiang. Subsequently, nurtured with Li Chen's own blood, it gradually mutated until it finally achieved a human form.

Li Chen had never concerned himself with the Netherworld's origins or race. When the Netherworld was still small, Li Chen always treated it as family. Who would have thought that in such a short span, so many years would pass, and the Netherworld would grow to adulthood.

"Good lad, your cultivation is nearly on par with mine now," Li Chen couldn't help but chuckle as he assessed the Netherworld.

The Netherworld's lips trembled slightly, and from them, a soft word finally emerged, "Dad."

"Hahaha!" Li Chen's laughter boomed.

Within his heart, a persistent regret always resided.

Back on Earth, he had left no offspring, not out of a lack of desire, but due to fear.

He was terrified that after truly bringing forth offspring into the world, he, like his own father, would vanish in an instant.

Having endured such agony himself, Li Chen never wished for his descendants to experience the same sorrow, leading him to perpetually hesitate.

Regrettably, this hesitation had stretched across so many years.

And the Netherworld... ultimately felt this paternal bond.

Li Chen found himself at a loss for words; towards the Netherworld, his heart was heavy with guilt. Although the Netherworld had Lin Yi for companionship, which eased things somewhat, he ultimately had not been present to witness the Netherworld's upbringing.

This was the Netherworld's regret, and his own as well.

"In this existence, truly perfect things are ultimately non-existent," Li Chen murmured, a deep sigh escaping his heart.